The Congress in Karnataka forged ahead of its rival, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), according to trends on the Election Commission website. The counting of votes polled for the May 10 Assembly elections began at 8 am on Saturday.
The Mallikarjun Kharge-led Congress was leading by 44.4 per cent vote share as of 9.30 am on Saturday, while the BJP was at 37.4 per cent vote share.
Karnataka election results: At the same time, the JD(S) was at 10.5 per cent vote share, the EC’s website showed.
Seat share of the parties, as per the Election Commission, as of 9.30 am, showed Congress ahead in 82 seats, the BJP in 52.
The JD(S), led by former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, gained an early lead in 16 segments.
The counting began today at 36 centres across the state amid elaborate security arrangements in place, especially in and around the counting centres to avoid any untoward incidents, official sources told PTI.
Karnataka election results: Top state leaders – Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Congress’ Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy are contesting from different seats.
In the 2018 elections, the Congress garnered a vote share of 38.04 per cent, followed by the BJP (36.22 per cent) and the JD(S) (18.36 per cent).
With no party getting a clear majority then and as Congress and JD(S) were trying to forge an alliance, BJP strongman BS Yediyurappa staked a claim and formed
The state registered a record turnout of 73.19 per cent in the voting on May 10 for the 224-member Assembly.
